Puppet

CHAPTER 8:

Kiyoshi’s eyes slowly fluttered open. The morning sun shined down onto him, making his eyes squeeze shut from the sudden brightness. His arms were underneath the warm covers. Moving his arms out, Kiyoshi felt the covers over him, keeping his eyes closed in the process. He suddenly came to a realization. Kiyoshi was in his apartment! With his eyes shooting open, Kiyoshi flew to a sitting position and glanced around. Could this be a dream? Or…was that man the dream? Kiyoshi looked up at the ceiling, remembering the man’s name was Luke, and that he was an immortal. With quick intention, Kiyoshi moved his shirt down, seeing the P-shaped mark printed on his chest. Beginning to panic, Kiyoshi pushed his sheets onto the floor; opening his sweats Kiyoshi’s eyes widened. Dried blood rested over his skin…below. Releasing his sweats Kiyoshi stared over his body in a hysterical state.

“Oh God…” Kiyoshi began feeling dizzy, “Oh God!” With his hands in the air, Kiyoshi flung off of his bed and raced into the bathroom. Once inside he quickly removed his clothes from his body, and stepped into the shower; not even caring that the water was freezing. Grabbing the soap, Kiyoshi quickly began to cleanse his entire body, all in the meanwhile letting out warm tears. “No,” Kiyoshi scrubbed the dry blood vigorously, not caring that he still hurt down below, “No…no…” With shaken knees, Kiyoshi let the soap fall from his hands as he sunk onto his knees, then finally resting his sore behind in the bathtub. He just sat there crying, allowing the water to run down his injured body.

--

“Hello,” Akina answered joyfully as she filed her nail, “OOP Office, what can I help you with?”

“Akina…” Akina was shocked when she heard who was on the other end of the telephone.

“Kiyoshi,” Akina’s voice turned from jolly to concerned, “What’s wrong? Why are you calling?”

“Akina,” Kiyoshi spoke from the other end, he was out of the shower, but still naked, “I wanted to call myself in today. I’m…not feeling well.”

“Oh…” Akina twirled the phone’s cord around her finger, “Well, alright, but do you want to talk to Sir Wakehiko?”

“No,” Kiyoshi whispered, giving off a fake cough, “Could you tell him for me? I’m really sleepy, and want to go back to bed.”

“Sure,” Akina gave a smile into the phone, “Get well soon okay Kiyoshi?”

“I will,” Kiyoshi answered, “Bye.” Akina was going to say goodbye back, but Kiyoshi hung the phone up rather rashly. Akina frowned at the beeping phone before setting in back onto its receiver. Sighing, Akina turned to a cute pig-tailed black haired girl drinking some coffee.

“Listen for the phone for me, please Kaede,” Akina gave a little smile; “I have to go speak with Sir Wakehiko for a second.”

“Sure thing,” answered Kaede, who took a seat in Akina’s chair just for the meantime. Akina nodded thanks and rushed for Officer Wakehiko’s office; her pink pony bouncing with each step she took. Akina stepped up to the door and gave a loud three-step knock.

“Come in,” answered Officer Wakehiko from the other side. Akina opened the door and entered her head inside, “Akina,” Officer Wakehiko smiled, “What can I help you with?”

“Sir,” Akina entered the room, softly shutting the door behind her, “I got a call from Kiyoshi. He says he’s feeling ill, so he won’t be in today.” Officer Wakehiko’s cup barely reached his lips. He gave Akina a pondering stare before lowering his cup.

“Oh,” Officer Wakehiko’s expression was just as concerned as Akina’s had been, but he let it off with a smile, “Alright Akina, thank you. I’m sure he’ll be back by tomorrow.”

“You’re welcome,” Akina exited back for her desk. As soon as she left, though, Officer Wakehiko glared down at his desk of papers.

“Kiyoshi,” Officer Wakehiko shook his head, “What am I to do with you?”

--

“How could he do that to him,” Ivalyn sat in her and Teo’s bed, her mind still concentrating on Kiyoshi, “Why?”

“Ivalyn,” Ivalyn turned her head towards Teo. He had just walked in and his face looked distressed, “What are you thinking of?” Ivalyn stayed quiet, turning her head away from her puppet. Teo crawled over to her, however, and wrapped his strong arms around her shaken body, “You’re still thinking about that boy, aren’t you?” Ivalyn shut her eyes, then, as Teo slowly began to kiss her petite neck.

“I can’t help it,” Ivalyn spoke softly as Teo continued to kiss her neck, “the boy just sounded so miserable; so hurt. How could Luke do that to him?” Teo did not have an answer for that, so Ivalyn went on, “Teo, if I were a mortal, would you do that to me?” Teo was taken back by Ivalyn’s sudden question. In truth, Teo never really thought of the idea, but he already knew his answer.

“Of course not,” Teo hugged Ivalyn tighter, moving his mouth over to lick her ear, “You’re my puppet and I care deeply for you. Even if you were mortal…” Ivalyn looked into her puppets green eyes; playfully moving her hand into his short blonde curls.

“You’d be gentle with me?” Teo smiled into his puppet’s brown eyes.

“I’d be gentle with you.”

--

Ivalyn searched the hallways for Luke. Since the other night, Luke had completely disappeared. No other immortal from the group knew where he went, but Ivalyn kept asking around. She soon ran into one immortal she was not fond of.

Chen came gliding around the corner, pulling up her falling shoulder strap. When she reached halfway across the hall, she came in contact with the passing Ivalyn. The two ladies shared a poisonous glare.

“Chen…” Ivalyn whispered, giving a low grin.

“Ivalyn,” Chen giggled, but in an unpleasant way, “Where’re you going?” Ivalyn started to walk past Chen, pushing her long brown hair behind her shoulders.

“I’m looking for Luke…” Ivalyn answered. Chen stopped her, however, putting both arms out to block Ivalyn’s path.

“Why in such a hurry,” Chen asked, her face turning scary, “Whatever you need to talk to Luke about, you can tell me right here.” Ivalyn stood still; alarmed. She never cared for Chen since the moment she became a member of Luke’s group.

“What I have to talk with Luke about does not concern you,” Ivalyn spat, “It’s none of your business!”

“Ooh, I know,” Chen let out a witch-like laugh, “It’s about Luke’s puppet, isn’t it? I’ve heard around. Kiyoshi’s his name, correct? Well sweetheart, if I knew better, the way he was treated isn’t any of your business, either.” Ivalyn began to grow tense. Chen was really beginning to bug Ivalyn.

“Please step out of my way,” Ivalyn growled, her conscious was prepared to fight Chen if Chen dare to attack.

“Hmm, fine,” Chen stepped out of the way, “But remember that I’m watching you, sweetheart.” Chen giggled wickedly as she disappeared down the hallway. Ivalyn watched Chen leave before continuing her own way.

“Something’s not right about her,” Ivalyn thought as she turned the shadowed corner up ahead, “What’s up with her?”

--

The stars that night weren’t as bright as they usually appear to be. Their bright twinkling has calmed down to a slight dimness. A shadowed figure watched them; his face was paled. He let out a troubled sigh and moved his face into the light of the moon. It was Luke, but his expression was different then usual. Usually his expressions were hidden by an enigmatic mask. Tonight, however, Luke’s face showed mournfulness.

“Here you are…” Luke did not turn his head at the sound of Ivalyn’s voice. He stayed starring up at the sky, “I’ve been looking for you.” Ivalyn waited for an answer from Luke for quite a while. She almost expected to never get a reply, but Luke did finally speak:

“Why,” Luke began, “are you looking for me?”

“I think you know.” A large burst of wind flew past Luke and Ivalyn, making both their clothes and hair blow around, but neither were bothered by the wind in any other way. Luke let a soft chuckle escape his lips and he turned to face Ivalyn.

“You may be Teo’s puppet,” Luke spoke smoothly, “But you are one real pain in the ass.”

“As are you,” Luke stared over at Ivalyn, shocked that she had dared speak back at him. Luke lowered his head, giving Ivalyn a cold stare, “Why’d you do it? Why did you hurt him?” Luke was still astonished by Ivalyn’s bravery. She was actually getting to him and it was beginning to get on Luke’s nerves. He slowly turned his back on Ivalyn, staring back up at the moon and stars.

“I don’t know…” Luke sighed. This made Ivalyn’s eyes widen.

“Don’t know,” Ivalyn grumbled, “That’s, that’s not an answer! How can you not know?”

“Why do you care so much?” Luke asked, making Ivalyn think this time.

“I,” Ivalyn paused, taking a swallow though she had no spit, “I’m not sure, but I guess it’s because of how sad he sounded. He was screaming. He was screaming.” Ivalyn let off a soft sigh and took a seat on the cool pavement underneath her, “I guess I was frightened by the fact that he was mortal and that he was actually feeling pain.” Luke turned his head to stare at the mortals below. They were so high up; no mortals were driving so high. More wind blew past the two immortals as they grew quiet. Ivalyn took a glance up at Luke’s back. A question came to her mind. “Are you disappointed?” This got Luke’s attention. He slowly turned his head to stare down at Ivalyn.

“Disappointed?”

“Yes,” Ivalyn said, “Are you disappointed in the fact that your puppet is mortal, but a man, as well?” Luke, in truth, did not know how he felt. Ivalyn could see the confusion in his face. Luke turned his head away from Ivalyn once again, hoping that Ivalyn would vanish from his sight. “You really need to talk with him,” Ivalyn whispered, standing to her feet, “I know that you did not mean to hurt him. I know that you do care for him.” Ivalyn smiled, though she knew Luke could not see it, “I know that you care for him.” Luke kept his back turned away from Ivalyn. She sighed and began to walk away, but she knew that Luke had a soft side somewhere. “If he won’t talk to the boy,” Ivalyn though while jogging away, “I will.”

*End of Chapter 8*